FEATURES
In-depth features that celebrate the vibrant outdoor swimming community, spotlighting extraordinary individuals and their stories.
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A cross-country swim along St Patrick’s Stream
Lose yourself in nature on this sleepy spur of the Thames. Paul Mackenzie from Adventure Swims pioneers a cross-country swimming…
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The “bash-wild-swimming” genre is already getting boring
Wild swimming has become a target of those who make a living mocking people and topics they know little about.…
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Fifty Four Days set for US premier at Pan-African Film Festival
Fifty Four Days – a film about a spirited young woman who turns to wild swimming in search of answers…
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What happens to your body when you go cold-water swimming?
Cold-water enthusiast Jonathan Cowie talks to Dr Susanna Søberg about what happens to your body when you go cold-water swimming,…
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Post-swim recipe: simple cookies
These moreish cookies take little time to prepare and are ideal for sharing among friends after a cold dip.
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Swimming spot: Black Moss Pot, Lake District
Suzanna Cruickshank is your guide to the high temple of places to wild swim in the Lake District
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A year of full moon swimming
When a bout of Covid left her unable to celebrate her 40th birthday on New Year's Eve, Menna Jones decided…
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Ice Mile Extreme
After a three-year delay Becca Harvey conquered an ice mile swim in Loch Insh, Scotland. A film has documented her…
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Don’t Panic About SIPE
Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema is a risk swimmers should be aware of. It's not a reason to stop swimming.
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Swimming 40 lakes in Switzerland
For her 40th birthday, Julia Weber gave herself a gift: a challenge to swim in 40 lakes in Switzerland in…
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Andy Spencer completes 365 daily swim challenge in memory of his father
Thames ferry captain Andy Spencer has completed his year-long swimming challenge in memory of his father Francis
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Should you stay in cold water for one minute per degree of water temperature?
‘One minute per degree’ is a rule often touted among cold-water swimmers, but is it a reliable guideline? Heather Massey…
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Move of the month: Floor Angels
Vivienne Rickman is your guide to a stretch that ease tightness in shoulders after a cold-water swim.
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The story behind our ‘rest & reflection’ cover by Beth Squire
Woodland bathing, feeling immersed in nature and embracing the simple joy of swimming outdoors: Beth Squire shares the story behind…
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Book review: The Crossing
In the run up to his first Channel crossing, veteran charity athlete Gyn Marston reviews The Crossing: the curious story…
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New year, new outdoor swimming kit
Thinking of splashing out on a new piece of outdoor swimming kit for 2023? We have your guide to five…
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Swimming spot: The Punchbowl, Brecon Beacons
Open water swim coach Ray Farr is your guide to one of her favourite swimming spots in the Brecon Beacons
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Open water swimming taking off in New York City
Add New York City to your swimming bucket list in 2023, including a swim around the Statue of Liberty.
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“Once in the water, I flow”
Janet MacLeod shares her account of being an older woman swimmer: strong and fearless, solitary and communal, life-long and evolving.
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Ice swimmer beaten by a flight of stairs
In the morning, adaptive athlete Sophie Etheridge took her first ever ice swim, posing with the obligatory ‘holding a piece…
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The texture of water: an essay by Anna Koska
Illustrator Anna Koska reflects on how the "cool embrace" of the sea helped her feel cocooned and safe in her…
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Reflections and intentions for 2023
We asked the Outdoor Swimmer team, contributors and our community to share reflections on 2022 and their open water intentions…
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Reflections on 2022: a year of adventures with the Henley Mermaids
Laura Reineke of the Henley Mermaids reflects on an incredible year of swimming adventures, and looks forward to swimming the…
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Take the Outdoor Swimmer Christmas quiz 2022
2022 was a year of great lake swims, a much-anticipated lido opening and more North Channel crossings than you can…
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The Swimmer: “There’s no ego or judgement, just warm company”
The Swimmer is an informal swim-run from north to south London, taking in the capital’s best parks, pools and ponds…
